The Patriots could be forgiven for resting on their laurels after that amazing Super Bowl comeback from 28-9 at the end of the third quarter, to beat the unlucky Atlanta Falcons in overtime, but the franchise keeps moving forward, with several new signings going into the 2017 season.

Below we take a look at both the AFC and NFC Championship, as well as which teams can seriously challenge the Patriots for Super Bowl 52.

NFL Betting Tip:

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP BETTING

Unsurprisingly, it’s those same New England Patriots that headline the betting for the AFC Championship title at 11/4, with the signing of wide-receiver (WR) Brandin Cooks, among others boosting the side and the return of Rob Grankowski after surgery, giving the champs a big pre-season boost.

The most realistic challenge to Tom Brady (pictured below) and co comes from the Pittsburgh Steelers at 11/2, as they look to make up for the 36-17 loss in last years Championship final. (WR) Le’Veon Bell is likely to shine once again, along with Quarter-back (QB) Ben Roethlisberger, but the return of Martavis Bryant, after a year long suspension by the NFL,could be the greatest or worst decision the Steelers make this year.

Behind these leading favourites, the Oakland Raiders (9/1) offer the best hope for those wishing to see a fresh name fighting for the AFC title. The Raiders biggest signing is a player that’s already there, with (QB) Derek Carr becoming the highest paid player in the NFL with a contract extension worth a cool $25 million a year.

However, the most talked about signing is the return of Marshawn Lynch, who has returned to his hometown club, after a year long sabbatical from the Seahawks.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP BETTING

The NFC Championship, looks to be a three franchise battle, with three sides all around 5/1 in the NFL betting odds across the markets.

The Green Bay Packers are looking to continue the progress of the last two seasons, having reached the divisional play-off in 2015 and championship last season. (WR) Randall Cobb will be integral to the cause and if he can stay fit, while the signing of Tight-End (TE) Martellus Bennett from the Patriots is certainly a sign of intent by the franchise owners to go one further and reach a first Super Bowl since 2011.

The Seattle Seahawks have disappointed over the last two seasons, only reaching the play-offs in that time. The ‘Hawks are arguably in a rebuilding phase having signed some nineteen players, ignoring free agents and drafts.The quality is still there, but they will have to improve if they wish to push on past the last eight.

The Dallas Cowboys on paper look great, but are likely to flatter to deceive, with Running-Back (RB), Ezekiel Elliott who had a superb rookie season and (WR) Dez Bryant, who should be ready to roll after surgery, the real standouts. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, an over reliance on those two players, is likely to see them fall short in offense.

Last years Super Bowl runner-up, the Atlanta Falcons (6/1) are a side who can challenge for the title and repeat the feat of becoming NFC champions once again. The Falcons scored more points than any other NFL side in the regular season, which helped to cover the inadequacies in defense.

However with several major defensive signings, including Defensive End (DE) Jack Crawford and Defensive Tackle (DT) Dontari Poe, the Falcons may just light up the NFL once as they did in 2016.

SUPERBOWL NFL BETTING

In terms of the Super Bowl betting, it is pretty clear that the AFC will be represented by the New England Patriots, as there is no side close enough in quality to challenge them. However the NFC battle is so close, a blanket could be thrown over all four sides mentioned above.

Of those four sides, the Packers and Falcons look the best prepared for the season ahead and importantly have squad depth to accommodate injuries and rest key players, when needed.

However, regardless of which side reaches Super Bowl 52 in Minnesota next January, the gulf between the New England Patriots and the rest, is too great a gap to close in one season, so expect Tom Brady, who turns 40 this year, to add another chapter to his astonishing NFL career.

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